Surname Stocke - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Stocke: What does the surname Stocke mean?
The surname Stocke is of German origin and is derived from the old German "Stock" meaning "tree trunk" or "pillar," and is likely a reference to people who lived near a conspicuous tree or pillar. This surname likely first arose in the northern German region, particularly amongst families that farmed the land. The Stocke surname is derived from the medieval profession of the owner of a store or shop, and as such, was most common in a mercantile area. It was later adopted by those who were merchants or involved in the stocking and trading of goods, such as weapons and supplies.
Originally, the family name was usually recorded as Stocke, Stocker, Stok, Stoeckle, Stoecker, Stoker, or Stuck. The meaning of the name is often generalized to those who "held fast" to their possessions, which could be interpreted as people of great loyalty and reliability. This interpretation likely originated from the idea of keeping material goods safe or holding onto goods that one has accumulated.
In more recent history, the Stocke family has spread throughout the world, mainly due to emigration during the 19th century. The Stocke name is most popular in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, with notable members of the family including Hasso von Stocke, a German military leader, and the American Adams Stockes, a former professor at Amherst College and a prolific author.
Order DNA origin analysisStocke: Where does the name Stocke come from?
The last name Stocke is most commonly found in parts of Northern and Eastern Europe today. The earliest known instances of the name date back to the 13th-century Germany, and it has become fairly widespread over the years. It was most likely derived from the Middle High German word 'Stoc' meaning a 'block of wood', 'stump' or a 'post'.
The prevalence of the surname is greatest in Germany, with other concentrations located in Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway. Additionally, the name also occurs with some regularity in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and Russia.
The Stocke family has been distributed all over Europe, and has taken on several variations like Stok, Stokes, Stock, and Stoeckel. The surname is also not uncommon in the United States among individuals with ancestry from Europe, particularly those of German descent.
The name continues to be a popular choice, with thousands of individuals around the world bearing it. It is considered a noble name in many regions, symbolizing strength and power.
Variations of the surname Stocke
The surname Stocke is a German surname with several variants, spellings, and related surnames. The most common variants of the surname Stocke are Stock, Stöck, Stöcke, Stöcklein, Stockle, and Stockmann. This name has also been found spelled Stoec, Stoock, Stöcklin, Stoeck, Stockig, and Stecke.
Stock and Stöck are the most widely used spellings of this surname and are the most likely origin of the name. These variants evolved with the spelling of the language and were used throughout Germany pre-World War II, and continue to be used today in a variety of different dialects.
Other related surnames include Stockel, Stoeckel, Stockert, Stoeker, Stockerl, Stökerl, and Stoeckelmann. These surnames are all variations on the original surname Stocke; however, due to the prevalence of dialect differences in Germany, subtle differences in spelling evolved with them.
The surname Stocke is not a common family name in the United States, but it is often found in records of immigrants from Germany who came to America in the 1800s. An estimated 500,000 individuals today have the surname Stocke. This surname is especially prevalent in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Stocke
- Tom Stocke: American musician, guitarist and composer.
- Alpha W. Stocke: 19th-century American segregationist.
- Aaron N. Stocke: American professional basketball player.
- Thomas R. Stocke: American military officer and war hero.
- Richard H. Stocke: American civil rights advocate and lawyer.
- Exar Stocke: American diplomatic figure and ambassador.
- Philip Stocke: American movie actor.
- Odelia Stocke: American publicist and journalist.
- Carse Stocke: American oil industrialist and philanthropist.
- Cedric Stocke: American poet and children's author.
- Madeline Stocke: American librarian and historical preservationist.
- Simeon Stocke: Canadian-American inventor and philanthropist.
- Piet Stocke: German international economist and politician.
- Eloise Stocke: French author and professor at Sorbonne University.
- Abbie Stocke: American writer and historian.
- Erling Stocke: Danish diplomat and ambassador.
- Harvey Stocke: British armaments manufacturer.
- Thamer Stocke: Canadian politician and former mayor of Calgary, Alberta.
- Negar Stocke: Iranian ministerial secretary and diplomat.
- Wouter Stocke: Dutch composer and conductor.